You want a 33-year-old catcher coming off knee surgery? Ramon Hernandez still makes contact at a solid clip, but his power is dissipating, although the gimpy knee may have had something to do with that. His ceiling is limited, but he could still hit about .250 with double-digit homers for a minor investment.

Joey Votto has shown improvement in his isolated power in each of the last three years and is just approaching his power prime. Decent though not necessarily improving batting eye plus pleasing mix of batted-ball tendencies ensure his average will stay around .300. Other owners might be anxious, though; in single-year leagues, he isn't worth breaking your budget.

Brandon Phillips' batting average skills took a step forward, but his liner rate didn't keep up. Thumb and wrist injuries probably played a part in that and flyball production, which is ever so slowly trending south. You'll have to pay for his tried and true consistency, but there's little risk.

No rhyme or reason for Scott Rolen's year-to-year fluctuation in batting average, but a repeat of 2009 is unlikely given hint of luck. Flyball and HR/FB levels are down, but move to Cincy usually a slight boon. He can serve as a low-end starter in NL formats, but in deep mixed leagues, take it or leave it.

Orlando Cabrera has been consistent for annual totals of about 90 runs, 10 homers and 20 steals, along with a useful clip and an elite contact rate. Hitch lies in his tanked walk rate, which may be the first of many dominoes to fall. Appeared to tire as season wound down; liners decreased. Natural to worry about him at age 35; he could be a deep mixed middle infielder, but have a backup plan ready.

'09 MLB stint gave Drew Stubbs a foundation. If he keeps the full-time center field gig, he could produce 40-plus steals, with a potential side of 20 homers. He'll need to improve his dismal batting eye to help in any other way. The risk is worth a late-round commitment in deep mixed; the ballpark could help him contribute outside of his speed.

Chris Dickerson's opportunities to run haven't differed much from minors to majors, but he has run significantly less often in bigs. Past performance doesn't support continual improvement in OBP, and 2009 BA seems luck-driven, but more contact and line drives. Modest steals upside tied to it for NL bidders, who may be reluctant to go double digits, understandably, given ABs uncertainty.

Spend an extra dollar or three. Jay Bruce hit .223 last year, but Bruce had an atrocious .222 BABIP, and batted-ball rates, particularly in minors, are more conducive to BA success than that. He showed more patience and made more contact. In a full season, 30-plus homers are easily attainable. Upside may drive up what should still be an affordable cost, and return should be substantial.

Addition of a splitter and more offspeed pitches helped Homer Bailey to 6-1 record and 1.70 ERA over last nine starts. Still young and has improved attitude. Control is improving, along with dominance; rumored mid-90s velocity finally showed up. Cost may have risen with potential for profit, which, of course, limits potential profit. Pay for only very modest gains for now.

Fatigue from winter play and WBC must play some part in Johnny Cueto's lack of progress and 2009 shoulder inflammation. He improved in control but regressed in K/9. No offseason ball this time. Fresh arm suggests rebound in latter and command improvement. Home runs? We'll see. Price of intrigue - not high, but more than curious - remains. Profit seems likelier. If not, what will it take?

Aaron Harang's struggles can partly be attributed to forearm (2008) and misfortune (2009). Appendectomy cut short improving second half. Some was hit rate correction, but he was more hittable. Bigger keys: K/9 and velocity were back on rise, and flyballs began to trend back downward. No certainty this upward slope continues, but he doesn't cost a lot. Profit could be considerable.

Most of Bronson Arroyo's 2009 gains are tied to low BABIP against. His command has decreased for three straight years. K/9 fell off table, but reined in declining control. Relied on slider more, reminiscent of 2004-06. HR/9 on rise flyball decline; rectification would mildly offset reversion in runners allowed. Reliable for PT - carpal tunnel not a worry - and double-digit wins, but NL players should watch for 2009-based inflation.

Hype: 100 mph fastball, plus slider, lefty, comparisons to Randy Johnson. We aren't buying it yet. Aroldis Chapman must adapt to a new culture and environment. He struggled at times in international competition; major leaguers aren't as forgiving. Control is big issue. Innings are far from certain. Initiation like Neftali Feliz's might prove beneficial. Anything greatly beyond NL end-game bid likely to bite.

Multiple corrections should put Francisco Cordero's ERA back in 3.00-plus territory. Decreasing K rate nosedived last year despite reported velocity improvement, and control remains an issue. Unexpectedly good 2009 didn't drive up draft placement - mixed low-end No. 1 range - much, though. Cordero may be one of safer options in that bin, but there's more downside than upside.